Tenth victory in as many matches in the tournament for the Spaniard, reigning champion: success in two sets against Kudermetova. Now the match against the Greek, who has the better of Rybakina
Maria Sakkari and Paula Badosa join Simona Halep and Iga Swiatek in the semifinal at Indian Wells. The Greek and the Spanish – seeded number 6 and 5 respectively on the scoreboard – do not have to face major problems to overcome the quarter-finals: Sakkari eliminates Rybakina (7-5 6-4), Badosa has the better of Kudermetova (6- 3 6-2). The two players will face each other for the second time in their career after the match in the WTA Finals in Guadalajara in November: victory in two sets for the Spanish, 7-6 6-4.
The semifinalists
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Third consecutive semifinal for Sakkari. After the defeat in the final St. Petersburg against Kontaveit and the knockout in the semifinal in Doha against Swiatek, the Greek is aiming for the full loot in Indian Wells: still no sets lost in the tournament for the number 6 in the world, who had played only five games at the round of 16 before Gavrilova’s retirement.
The decisive games are becoming a curse for Maria, stopping to win in 2019 in Rabat (the only career title at WTA level): to pursue the dream, the Greek will have to stop the race of the reigning champion in Indian Wells. Badosa has not yet lost a game in California: after her winning debut last year, the Spaniard seems to be serious this season too. In the semifinals, the number 5 in the world got the better of Kudermetova without suffering, also thanks to the ailments of the opponent. Ten out of ten in Indian Wells for Badosa: Will Sakkari be able to stop her?
March 17 – 11.40pm
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